[Photo: Dave Cannon, Allsport] Marc Girardelli in the World Cup at Val Gardena

The downhill is considered the ultimate test of nerve, the 'blue riband' event. The course consists of a single long run: in major championships, the winner's time should be around two minutes for men, and 1 minute 40 seconds for women. Gates are set only to keep speed within safe limits and to direct skiers away from obstacles.

The best downhiller is the one who can achieve the highest speed on the straight, hold the best line through the turns and not be thrown off balance when covering 45m in the air at 115 kph (70 mph). Legendary courses include the Hahnenkamm in Kitzbuehel and the Lauberhorn in Wengen for men, and the Kandahar in Garmisch for women. These offer a variety of terrain, testing the competitors over long high-speed straights, sharp turns, hair-raising jumps and compressions.

Crash helmets are obligatory, and competitors use Lycra suits, curved ski poles, and long skis (223cm for men, 215cm for women) with flat tips, which offer maximum speed and stability and minimum air resistance.